Florida Car Accident Attorneys
At Fran Haasch Law Group Accident & Injury Lawyers in Tampa Bay, our car accident lawyers work with clients across the greater gulf region and throughout the state of Florida. Car accident victims can experience life altering injuries due to the negligence of others. We offer anyone injured in a car accident a free consultation. There is no cost to you unless we win, if not, you don’t owe us anything.
At Fran Haasch Law Group Accident & Injury Lawyers, we understand that being in a car accident can be a traumatic experience, and we will do everything we can to help you through this difficult time. With offices throughout the Tampa Bay area, our top rated auto accident lawyers are ready to help those who have been injured in an accident receive the compensation they deserve. Contact Fran Haasch Law Group Accident & Injury Lawyers today for a free case evaluation with one of our car accident attorneys.
Car Accident Attorney?
Car Accidents Are Frequent in Florida
In the state of Florida, being involved in a car accident is not a question of how, but rather when. Florida ranks third in the United States for the greatest number of fatal motor vehicle accidents, and is the second most dangerous state for drivers. Though there are some more common places where car accidents happen, such as busy intersections.
A car crash is defined as the operation of a motor vehicle that results in property damage, complaint of bodily injury, or bodily injury or death to any person. In 2022 alone, there were 397,620 car crashes in the state of Florida. Of those crashes, 252,169 people were injured, and 3,553 resulted in fatalities.
With such frequent car accidents, many people think they have a handle on their case. However, insurance companies are looking to protect their bottom line, not your best interests. At The Fran Haasch Law Group Accident & Injury Lawyers, our team of car crash attorneys have years of experience, and can answer any of your questions related to auto accidents.
Your attorney will be able to review the facts of your case and help you build a strong claim. They will also negotiate with the insurance companies on your behalf and fight for the maximum compensation you deserve.
Common Injuries Due to Car Accidents
Many of our auto accident attorney clients, both drivers and passengers, experience some form of pain or soreness when involved in a car wreck. Some of the more serious types of injuries include:
Spinal Cord Injuries– A spine injury can occur during any motor vehicle accident. The sudden impact of motor vehicle accidents can cause the vertebrae to compress, leading to a spinal cord injury.
Head Injuries– There are many different head injuries that you can suffer in a car accident. Some of the most common are traumatic brain injuries and skull fractures. These injuries can often lead to lengthy bouts of tinnitus, also called ringing in the ears.
Neck Injuries– In a car accident, the victim’s neck can be violently be thrust back and forth, leading to whiplash. Other common neck injuries from car accidents include cervical spine fractures and herniated discs.
Back Injuries– Many people who suffer from back pain have been in a car accident at some point. When you are involved in a car accident, your body is suddenly jarred and thrown around. This can cause the muscles and ligaments in your back to stretch or tear.
Broken Bones– Car accidents frequently lead to broken bones. Collarbones, ribs, arms, legs, and facial fractures are some of the most common.
Leg Injuries– Because our lower body contains complex joints and supports most of our weight, a car accident can cause leg, ankle, hip, or knee injuries.
Seat Belt Bruises– Although seat belts are safety devices meant to protect passengers, they can cause bruising, and sometimes severe injuries.
Our Lawyers Have the Experience Necessary to Win Your Case
Fran Haasch Law Group Accident & Injury Lawyers focuses on helping you and your family recover. We pursue personal injury lawsuits, and wrongful death claims to obtain full compensation for damages such as pain and suffering, medical expenses, lost earnings, property damage, and more.
With over 20 years of experience, we draw on constant medical and legal research to help clients recover after being injured in auto accidents in Tampa Bay and the surrounding areas. Our attorneys are skilled and experienced litigators. We are not afraid to take your lawsuit to trial if necessary. No matter how complicated your case, our firm is here to help you navigate the legal process from start to finish.
Car Accident Settlements We’ve Secured For Our Clients
We understand that no amount of financial recovery can undo what you have been through. However, a fair settlement or jury verdict can ease the financial burden of unexpected medical bills, lost income, and other economic and non-economic damages associated with your accident.
We have obtained multimillion-dollar jury verdicts and settlements in cases involving auto accidents, as well as claims concerning wrongful death and catastrophic injuries. Read through our successful case results to learn how we’ve helped countless people recover damages.
After a Car Accident
There are many ways to avoid car accidents. If you find yourself involved in a car crash and aren’t sure what to do after a car accident, here are some key things to do right away:
Stop Your Car and Call 911
The most important thing to do after a car accident is to stop your car and call 911. This will ensure that emergency personnel are alerted to the accident scene.
Check for Injuries
You should also check yourself and any passengers for injuries. If injuries are present, seek medical treatment immediately.
Move Your Car if It Is in the Way
If your car is blocking traffic, you should move it to the side of the road. This will help keep traffic flowing and avoid further accidents.
Stay at the Scene until Help Arrives
Leaving the accident before the police arrive is considered a hit-and-run crime in Florida. Additionally, staying at the scene allows law enforcement officials to document the accident and collect evidence.
Gather Evidence and Witness Statements
Gather as much evidence as you can. This may include pictures of the scene, damage to your car, eyewitness statements, and other evidence.
Request an Accident Report
Your local police department can provide you with a copy of the accident report, or you can request one online from the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles official crash portal
Contact a Car Crash Attorney
At Fran Haasch Law Group Accident & Injury Lawyers, our team of top rated car accident lawyers can help you start your claim against the liable party
The most important thing to remember after an accident is not to admit fault. Even if you think you contributed to the accident somehow, it’s best to refrain from saying anything that could implicate you. Wait for a full investigation and your lawyer.
Let Our Car Accident Attorneys Help You
The first thing our car accident lawyers will do is help you gather evidence. We will request medical records, accident reports, and any other relevant information. We will also interview witnesses and collect photographs of the accident scene.
Some personal injury claims require the assistance of experts to help prove negligence. Our team of lawyers will hire the necessary experts to help prove your claim. This may include accident deconstructionists, medical experts, and life-care planners. These experts can help us prove the full extent of your injuries and damages.
Most personal injury cases are settled outside of court. However, in some cases, the insurance company is unwilling to offer a fair settlement or any settlement at all. If that is the case, our accident attorneys will take your case to trial.
Car crashes often result in various expenses. From medical bills and lost wages to pain and suffering (in some cases), you should not have to bear the burden of these costs. Our ultimate goal is to get you the compensation you deserve.
If you’ve been injured in a Florida auto accident, you are entitled to claim economic and non-economic damages.
- Economic damages you may qualify to pursue include:
- Medical expenses (both current and future)
- Lost wages (both current and future)
Property damage
None of these damages may be available if you wait too long to file a claim, so it’s important to contact an experienced car accident lawyer as soon as possible.
In addition to economic damages, you may also be able to recover non-economic damages. These are more difficult to quantify but can significantly impact your life. Non-economic damages may include:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of quality of life due to disability
- Disfigurement and scarring
In some cases, you may also be able to recover punitive damages. Punitive damages are designed to punish the other driver for their negligence and are not available in every case. The personal injury attorneys at The Fran Haasch Law Group can help you determine if you have a reasonable basis to bring a punitive damage claim. We fight to maximize the amount our clients are awarded and to punish wrongdoers when necessary.
If you have lost a loved one in a car accident, you may be able to file a wrongful death claim. A wrongful death claim is different from a personal injury claim in that it seeks damages for the loss of your loved one rather than for your own injuries.
The damages available in a wrongful death claim may include:
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Loss of financial support
- Loss of companionship
We understand that no amount of money can bring your loved one back, but we will fight for the maximum compensation available to help you through this difficult time.
Some Car Accident Cases are Complex
Car accident cases can be complex, and they often involve multiple parties. These types of accidents often result in serious injuries or even death. If you were in an accident with a commercial vehicle, such as a truck or bus, our experienced car accident lawyers are familiar with commercial vehicle laws and can help you navigate the legal process.
At Fran Haasch Law Group Accident & Injury Lawyers, our auto accident attorneys know how to build a strong case to help you recover damages.
Common Causes of Car Accidents
While there are many ways an auto accident can occur, the most common causes of car accidents that our team handles are:
- Texting and Driving
- Distracted Driving
- Drowsy Driving
- Drunk Driving
- Improper Left Turns
- Weather
- Speeding
- Reckless Driving
- Vehicle Defects
Types of Car Accidents
There are many various types of car accidents that can occur. The most common is a rear-end collision in which the at-fault party is typically the second car as a result of not providing proper distance from the vehicle ahead. If injured as a result of someone’s negligence, you may consider suing after a car accident. The level of complexity varies depending on the situation. Here are the different types of car accidents that our attorneys have successfully assisted our clients with:
Florida is a No-Fault Insurance State
As a No-Fault state, each driver’s insurance is responsible for their own damages. There are several Florida insurance laws that drivers should be aware of. Unlike most other states, drivers in Florida are not required to have bodily injury liability (BIL) insurance. Most states require this to cover the costs of injuries that drivers cause another person in the event of an auto accident, and it serves to protect drivers, bicyclists, and pedestrians.
In Florida, all drivers are required to carry personal injury protection (PIP) insurance. PIP insurance covers the costs of medical treatment and lost wages after a car accident. Under this system, PIP insurance will cover 80% of your medical bills up to $10,000, and 60% of lost wages. Once your auto medical bill insurance is tapped out, your health insurance will assume responsibility.
This system often makes it difficult for car accident victims to get the compensation they deserve. Since BIL isn’t required, many people don’t carry it, making it more likely that you will be involved in an accident with an uninsured or underinsured driver. Many people wonder if they need uninsured motorist coverage. Those that have this coverage are significantly more protected should they find themselves in a situation where they have substantial injuries and damages. If you have uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, you may be able to file a car accident claim with your own insurance company.
Other types of insurance that our car accident lawyers consider when working on cases are collision insurance, property damage liability insurance, gap insurance, roadside assistance coverage, Med Pay and comprehensive insurance coverage.
Here are some other common insurance-related questions our auto accident lawyers encounter:
- Do you need car insurance in Florida?
- What is Stacked vs Non-Stacked Insurance?
- What is Full Coverage Auto Insurance in Florida?
- What Happens if Someone Hits You Without Insurance?
- Can You Drive Without Insurance in Florida?
- Do You Need Insurance to Register a Car in Florida?
- Does Car Insurance Cover the Car or the Driver?
The Insurance Company May Try to Deny Your Claim
Insurance companies are sneaky and don’t have your best interest in mind. After a car accident, an insurance company (Progressive, Geico, Nationwide, State Farm, Allstate, Liberty Mutual, USAA, Farmers, etc.) usually assigns an insurance adjuster to investigate the claim. They’ll call you to ask questions about the accident and try to get you to settle for less than you deserve.
Having an experienced car accident lawyer is the best way to ensure you are not being taken advantage of by insurance companies. At Fran Haasch Law Group Accident & Injury Lawyers, the goal is to protect you from the tactics insurance companies use to lowball victims and deny claims. You deserve to have the peace of mind of knowing that an insurance settlement will amply pay for your medical expenses and lost wages.
Comparative Negligence Is an Important Factor in Car Accident Claims
In Florida, comparative negligence is a defense that can be used to reduce the amount of damages you are awarded.
Under HB 837, Florida switched from a pure comparative fault system to a “greater percentage of fault” system in March 2023. This means that if a party is found to be greater than 50% at fault for their own harm, they are barred from recovering any damages.
For example, if you are awarded $100,000 in damages but are found to be 40% at fault, you would only receive $60,000. If you were 51% at fault, you would not recover any damages.
Having an experienced car accident attorney in a case where comparative negligence is used as a defense is vital. Our attorneys will be able to investigate the accident and build a strong case to prove that you were not at fault or that your percentage of fault is low.
You May Be Entitled to More Than You Realize
After an accident, you may be entitled to more than you realize. Most accident victims don’t consider the full extent of their injuries when they calculate their damages. After an accident, you may not only be trying to recover from your injuries, but you may also face:
- Lost wages due to time in the hospital
- The inability to return to work
- Ongoing medical and rehabilitation costs
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
An experienced car accident lawyer will be familiar with the types of damages you may be entitled to and will fight for the maximum compensation you deserve.
What to Expect During Your Free Consultation
During your case review, auto accident lawyers will ask you questions about the accident and your injuries. We may ask questions such as:
- What happened leading up to the accident?
- How did the accident happen?
- What injuries did you suffer in the accident?
- Have you seen a doctor or other medical provider for your injuries?
- What expenses have you incurred as a result of the accident?
- Have you missed any time from work because of your injuries?
You should also be prepared to answer questions about the other driver, including their name, contact information, and insurance information.
Car Accident Attorneys Who Fight For You
At Fran Haasch Law Group Accident & Injury Lawyers, we are committed to fighting for your fair recovery. We strive to help injured individuals and the loved ones of those wrongfully killed, secure the full, fair recovery they are owed. We offer dedicated legal representation for car accident victims and victims of bicycle, rideshare (Uber and Lyft), and semi-truck accidents.
You deserve to be represented by only the best car accident attorneys. If you have been injured in an auto accident, our auto accident lawyers are prepared to help you navigate the legal process and work toward securing the maximum payment you are owed. Call (727) 784-8191 or contact our car accident lawyers near you today for a free consultation to get started on receiving the compensation you deserve for your car accident case.
If you’ve been in an accident, don’t hesitate to reach out to us for expert guidance. Remember, every action you take in the aftermath of a car accident matters. Trust Fran Haasch Law Group to navigate the complexities, providing you with the support and advocacy you need during this challenging time. Your journey to justice starts with the right decisions. Act now to protect your rights and secure the compensation you deserve.
